Conducting artistic competitions in a social network system

ABSTRACT

Tools, strategies, and techniques are provided for connecting an audience comprising artists of many different kinds with a wider audience of other users to engage in competitions, provide commentary, review communications, and perform other activities around works of art.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/195,315, filed Mar. 3, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Artists can create works of many different forms, through many differentmedia, including musical compositions, visual and graphical arts,theatrical presentations, and even culinary creations.

The inventors have discovered that the act of experiencing artisticworks can be enhanced by engaging an audience comprising a wide varietyof both artists and other users to review works of art through an onlinesocial networking environment, for example. Many conventional media forcommunicating information about artistic works do not provide sufficientmeans for users to express their opinions regarding the relative worthof different works of art. Likewise, artists do not have an adequateoutlet or communication medium to showcase their talents and to comparetheir works of art against other artists within similar fields ofartistic endeavor.

In addressing issues with current methods and systems for experiencingand evaluating works of art, the inventors have recognized a need formore effective computer-implemented tools, strategies, and techniquesthat can help artists and other users to share and compare works of art,and ultimately to enhance their enjoyment of different artisticcreations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The utility of the embodiments of the invention will be readilyappreciated and understood from consideration of the followingdescription of the embodiments of the invention when viewed inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 includes a system architecture diagram including an example of asocial network system structured in accordance with various embodimentsof the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate various screen displays provided in accordancewith examples of main page and registration features of certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 schematically represents an example of an artist profilestructured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically illustrate examples of voter profilesstructured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates how advertising content can bedisplayed to users through a social network system structured inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 7 through 12 include examples of screen displays that can bepresented to voters during a voting process of a social network systemstructured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 13A through 15 include examples of screen displays that can bedisplayed to users in a championship section of a social network systemstructured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 16A through 16G include examples of screen displays that can bedisplayed to users in a bulletin section of a social network systemstructured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 17 includes an example of a screen display that can be displayed tousers in a notifications section structured in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 18A through 18C include examples of screen displays that can bedisplayed to users in a journal section of a social network systemstructured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 19 includes an example of a screen display that can be displayed tousers in a bazaar section of a social network system structured inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention; and,

FIGS. 20 through 26 include process flow diagrams illustrating variousexamples of communicating advertising content in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

In various embodiments, the invention offers tools, strategies, andtechniques for connecting an audience comprising artists of manydifferent kinds with a wider audience of other users to engage incompetitions, provide commentary, review communications, and performother activities around works of art. As applied herein, “works of art”may include a wide variety of artistic creations by different types ofartists including, for example and without limitation, musicalcompositions (and mixing versions thereof), visual and graphical arts,theatrical presentations, and culinary creations, among others.

In certain embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1, aspects of theinvention may include a social network system 102 which is programmedfor connecting artists (e.g., solos, groups, producers, DJ's, etc.) anda wider audience of users from all around the world. The system 102 mayemploy web application software, for example, programmed for conductingonline competitions and dedicated news and polling systems, among otherfeatures. An online gaming competition environment can be provided withonline tournaments in which artists compete against each other through abattle module with the aim to earn victory points to win and advancethrough a championship designation framework. The system 102 may beprogrammed for uploading and comparing artists' songs, for example,which may be limited in certain embodiments to only original workscreated by the artists.

The competitions may be conducted by artists selecting audio/videotracks of their art works to be played, displayed, or otherwise accessedthrough the social network system 102. Winners of these competitions canbe determined by an online audience of users comparing works of art andcasting votes to determine a winner, for example. Other featuresprovided by the social network system 102 may include polling,information, and news systems designed for processing communicationsrelated to works of art and related topics. Various embodiments of theinvention can be configured to be accessed, for example, through acombination of web-based social network services, application software,and tablet and mobile device implementations, including various systemsof interconnected computers and device networks.

FIG. 1 includes one example of a system architecture for a socialnetwork system 102 structured and configured in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention. In the example shown, the system102 may include a web server 104 programmed to host a web site through aweb site module 106A. One or more web sites configured, generated,and/or displayed by the web server 104 may be based on a LAMP stack(i.e., a combination of components derived from Linux, Apache, MySQL,and PHP), for example. The system 102 may also include an applicationserver 108 programmed to process transactions associated with accessingand/or using the system 102, such as transactions or other processingincluding data arising from various competitions conducted between oramong artists, for example. In various embodiments, the system 102 mayinclude various modules 106A-106P (as described in more detail herein),which include computer-based instructions for directing a processor orcomputer system to perform different tasks or functions within thesystem 102. In various embodiments, one or more databases 110 or othertypes of data storage media may be provided for storing, retrieving,and/or accessing data and other information processed through the system102.

In various embodiments, one or more different types of users 122 mayaccess or communicate with the system 102 through a variety of accessdevices 124. Such users 122 may include artists, voters, experts,journalists, business personnel, or many other kinds of users 122.Examples of access devices 124 include, without limitation, desktopcomputers, laptops, notebooks, mobile devices (e.g., phones, smartphones, tablets, etc.), or many other types of computing devices orcomputer systems. Communications which occur between or among the system102, the various users 122, and/or the access devices 124 may beconducted through one or more kinds of communication media, such asnetworked media, wireless media, and/or wireline connections, forexample.

FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate examples of different aspects of a mainpage 202, which may be communicated to users by the social networksystem 102 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Asshown, the main page 202 may include sections 204, 206 that provideeducational information for users on what services are offered (see FIG.2A) and how the competitions or “battles” between different artists areconducted (see FIG. 2B). A “sign up now” section 208 may be configuredto receive information from artists and voters to allow them to registerwith and access the system 102 (see FIG. 2C).

In certain embodiments, “artists” are designated as users who have theability to enter works of art into competitions; and “voters” aregeneral users of the system 102 who can vote on competitions betweendifferent artists. The designation of “artist” or “voter” may determinewhich portions of the system 102 that a given user can access, view, ormodify. For example, an “artist” account may be limited to users whoproduce their own original music (producers, solos, groups, DJ's) orother original works of art. An artist account may be required to chooseone music genre, for example, and can be enrolled for competition andchampionship purposes in that chosen music genre. In certainembodiments, artists may be permitted to enroll and compete in multiplegenres or other artistic categories. In certain embodiments, it ispossible to create multi-genre categories of the same art form forcompetition (e.g., a mixed category comprising pop, rock, and soul).DJ's can be included as “artists” by producing their own original mixes,for example, that can include their own production songs or mixes of thesongs of others. DJ's may have their own music genre category based onsuch song mixes.

In other examples, artists can be sculptors and the works of art can besculptures. Artist sculptors can upload images, videos orthree-dimensional graphical representations (which may be viewable in360°) of their sculptures. Categories can be created based on thematerials used such as stone, metal, glass, pottering wood, carving orthe technique used or the styles such as, for example, minimalism,modernism, classical, or contemporary, among others. Artists can bepainters or drawers, for example, working with paintings and/ordrawings. The painters or drawers can upload images, videos,three-dimensional graphical representations (which may be viewable in360°) of their works of art. Artists may be actors and the works of artcan be acting performances or other theatrical or dramatic performances.Artist actors can upload videos of their performances of the partsplayed in movies, shorts, etc., for example, and compete with theseworks of art. Categories can be created based on the film genres or canbe a mixed category. Artists can be filmmakers or producers who canupload and compete based on shorts they have produced, for example.Categories can be created based on the film genres or can be a mixedcategory, for example. Artists can be dancers who can upload tracks oftheir dance performances, for example, as works of art. Categories canbe created based on the music and dancing genres, styles or can be amixed category. Another category could be a song itself, for example, onwhich dancers create their original dances.

A “voter” account may be provided for general users of the system 102who do not produce music, for example, or other works of art forcompetition through the system 102. In addition, a login section 210maybe provided to allow registered users to access the system 102 (seeFIG. 4D). Also, a “hot battles” section 212 may be provided whichhighlights artist competitions currently underway within the system 102.Competitions may be deemed “hot” based on criteria such as the identityor class of the competing artists, the genre of the artistic work, thenumber of votes already cast, or many other factors.

In certain embodiments, artists can have access to all user accessiblecontent in the system 102 and may be permitted to vote in battles orcompetitions. Artists may be included or excluded from certain featuressuch as the artistic intuition module 106D, for example (see below).FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an artist profile screen 302 which maybe structured for display by an artist profile module 106B in accordancewith various embodiments of the invention. As shown, an artist can loadaudio/video tracks representing works of art (e.g., musicalcompositions) into a track panel 304 of the profile. An artist class 306can be displayed in the profile, wherein the class can be determined inresponse to a number of points accumulated by the artist by winning anumber of competitions, for example. Also, artists can have informationabout supporters displayed in a supporters section 308, and eitherartists or voters can become supporters of different artists. The numberof supporters may be displayed on the artist profile. Also, informationcan be displayed regarding voters who are following the artist and/orother artists who are following the artist or visiting the artist'sprofile. In certain embodiments, artists can access championship andartistic intuition ranking information within the system 102. Also,artists may read or access the contents on the “Journal” section 310,purchase products in the “Bazaar” section 312, and/or perform otheractivities. In various embodiments, the artist profile may also includea “Challenge this artist” button 314 that permits the artist to proposecompetitions or battles with other artists.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a voter profile screen 402 which may begenerated by a voter profile module 106C structured in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention. A voter can have access to alluser accessible content in the system 102 and may be permitted to voteon battles or competitions between different artists. Also, voters canbe included as part of the analysis performed by an artistic intuitionmodule 106D and may have an artistic intuition percentage bar 404included in the profile. The artistic intuition module 106D can providea mechanism for measuring the ability of a given voter to determine theoutcome of a battle. The artistic intuition score may be based on acorrect percentage of selecting winning artists for the total battles onwhich the voter has voted. The artistic intuition percentage can beshown in the form of percentage bar 404 under the voter user profilepicture, for example. The bar 404 may proportionally increases from leftto right, for example, in relation to decreases or increases in thevoter's artistic intuition score. In certain embodiments, the artisticintuition score can be calculated by type of work of art, by genre, byartist, by class of artist, and/or other filtering criteria.

In one embodiment, the artistic intuition module 106D can displayrankings of artistic intuition scores in relation to a listing ofvoters. In one example, an absolute index can be calculated anddisplayed based on the rankings of voters in association with theartistic intuition score for all categories and rankings together. Therankings can be filtered for each category and/or for each class which agiven voter has cast votes. Once a voter votes in a battle of aparticular class or category, then the artistic intuition module 106Dcan add that voter to a list of voters for the particular categoryand/or class. In certain embodiments, a voter may be permitted to optinto or opt out of the rankings and/or the bar display in the voterprofile.

In various embodiments, voters can be permitted to view championshiprankings and artistic intuition rankings. Voter users can also vote,read and propose contents to be shown on the “Journal” section 406 andpurchase products in the “Bazaar” section 408. In addition, voterprofile pages may include a “Current Battles” panel 410 which providesinformation on battles or competitions currently running in the system102. As shown, a “Select Genre” button 412 or other functionality can beaccessed to sort the battles currently underway by genre of music, forexample (rock, pop, house, etc.).

FIG. 5 includes an example of a voter profile screen 502 which includesa “Vote Battles” button 504 for accessing a battle module 106E of thesocial network system 102. The battle module 106E may be programmed todisplay one or more current battles to the voter for which votes can becast. In various embodiments described herein, the act of casting avote, for example, may be considered a species of the general concept ofcommunicating an “indication of preference” which expresses a preferencefor one artist over another artist, or a preference for a work of artassociated with one artist over a work of art associated with anotherartist. The battle module 106E may select battles at random from amongall battles, or at random from among a particular genre or championshipclass selected by the user, for example. In other embodiments, the votermay specify a music genre for voting battles, for example, on the“Current Battles” panel 506. In certain embodiments, the voter can castvotes for battles appearing on the “Bulletin” section 508. The voter mayalso be permitted to vote in battles displayed in one or more leaguetables accessed through a “Championship” section 510 of the profile (seebelow). FIG. 6 includes an example of advertising content that can bedisplayed to a voter in association with the voter initiating theprocess for casting a vote for a battle. FIGS. 7 through 12 illustrateexamples of how a voter can access and preview various battles that canbe conducted through the system 102, including activating videopreviews, for example, of works of art involved in the battle. As shown,the system 102 may provide an audio/video track management bar includingplay/stop button, for example. Also, a direct link to the next vote maybe provided such that once the voter has voted for a preferred artist,then a new battle page can be opened automatically thereafter.

In various embodiments, a voter may express an indication of preferencefor one artist over an opponent artist by casting a vote positively inthe artist's favor, for example, or by casting a vote negatively againstthe challenger. In certain embodiments, when a vote is cast negatively,the artist receiving the negative vote may receive a negative vote forhis vote total, for example. In one embodiment, the voter may bepermitted to cast votes for both artists to reflect that the battle is adraw or a stalemate in the voter's opinion. In another example, castinga vote for a preferred artist can award the preferred artist a votewhile subtracting a vote from the non-preferred artist. In certainembodiments, the ability to simultaneously award and subtract votes maybe provided, for example, to voters who have achieved a certain artisticintuition score or ranking, who have voted in a predetermined number ofbattles (e.g., 1000 battles), or may be limited to certain voters whovote within a predetermined work of art genre, among other criteria thatmight be applied.

In various embodiments, battles may be conducted until a predeterminednumber of votes cast by voters is attained, for example. The battles maybe conducted on a time basis, on a vote quantity basis, or on areasonable combination of vote quantity and time duration. A display ofcurrent battles may be generated in response to random selection; inresponse to battles which have the most votes cast; in response tobattles that have the least votes cast; in response to battles that arebeing voted most of all genres; in response to the best of genrescoupled together in relation to the class; and/or, in response toranking in the class of one or both contestants involved in the battle.In certain embodiments, the system 102 may select a genre for displayinginformation related to battles or the user may specify a genre ofinterest.

In other embodiments, a weighted system for currently running battlesmay be programmed for continuously analyzing current battles anddetecting how many votes every battle has received. The battles may beordered on a scale from the battle that has received the least number ofvotes to the battle that has received the most number of votes. Thescale can also be implemented with a percentile measure and a percentilerank. In another example, a system of quotas can be set to establish inwhat quantity the current battles are to be shown. The quantity can beexpressed in any value such as, for example, percentage or numerical. Incertain embodiments, quotas can represent a ranking for the battle as asingle percentile, a group of percentiles, or on an absolute scale. Inanother example, a quota system can be implemented which determines aquantity of battles belonging to a specific class to be shown. Inanother example, a quota system can be based on time and quantity limitsof the current battles. The system can generate a scale in response tohow long a battle will last and/or how many votes the battle needs to bedeclared finished. The weighted quota system can be combined with one ormore aspects of other quota system with any order of precedence. Incertain embodiments, displays of running battles (including aninteractive panel for voting) can be implemented in streaming mode.

In various embodiments, a ranking module 106F may be provided fordetermining classes and/or championships for various artists within thesame genre, for example. Each genre may have its own championship (e.g.,a genre championship), for example, and genres can be added to ordeleted from the system 102. Each genre championship may be subdividedinto different classes, and a sub-championship may be played in eachclass (e.g., a class championship). In one example, a newly registeredartist may start from the lowest class and with no points. The artistmay be permitted to fight only against another artist of the same class.Each class championship may be represented by a league table determinedby the results of various battles or competitions. It can be seen thatthe ranking module 106F may be programmed to determine an orderedranking of different artists within each class, such as by a quantity ofpoints accumulated by the artists, for example. A victory quota may bepredetermined as a number of points required for an artist to bepromoted into the next class championship, for example. Once an artistattains a victory quota, that artist can be automatically moved into thenext class championship level. The highest class an artist can attainmay be the “Master Class” level wherein the “Master Championship” isplayed. The artist currently ranked first in the Master Championship maybe awarded a “World Champion” title. When an artist is promoted to ahigher class, the artist may retain a current number of pointspreviously earned, and this number of points can be used to promote anddemote the artist, as appropriate, between different championshipclasses. The determination of a champion can be subject to a time limit,such as an annual or seasonal selection of the champion, for example.

In various embodiments, artists that achieve first place in the masterclass can be selected to have one or more of their art works placed intoa compilation, perhaps for commercial sale. This may involve creatingcompilations selecting the best works of art, organizing tours withselected artists, engaging selected artists for the marketing of one ormore of their art works or their entire portfolio, and/or engagingselected artists for the creation of new artistic productions.

In connection with operation of the battle module 106E, each artist canbe provided with a number of tracks that can be used to engage in abattle (see above, e.g., FIG. 3—track panel 304). The artist can uploadan audio/video track of a musical composition or other work of art intoeach track, for example, as a representation of the work of art. Theartist can use the tracks to challenge another artist or to bechallenged by another artist. There may or may not be limits on: thenumber of tracks made available to an artists; the quantity of tracks auser can upload; tracks to be used contemporaneously to fight battles;and/or tracks to be used for battle (e.g., it is possible to limit atrack to a predetermined number of battles). In other embodiments,tracks may be designated for use on a temporary limit basis (e.g., it ispossible to specify that once a track or element is used, the track orelement can only be used again after a number of days and/or a number ofbattles). In another example, if a specific track or element has won abattle for the user, then the user may be permitted or not permitted tocontinue to use the track or element for the next predetermined numberof battles. Likewise, in another example, if a specific track or elementhas lost a battle for the user, then the user may be permitted or notpermitted to continue to use the track or element for the nextpredetermined number of battles.

In various embodiments, users visiting an artist profile can bepermitted to access and play representations of works of art on theartist's loaded tracks panel. In another example, access to the loadedtracks panel can be restricted to certain users. In another example,only voters can see and access the tracks panel, while other artists maynot be permitted to do so. When playing tracks on the tracks panel, thewhole track can be executed or just a sample or preview. The trackexecution can include a scroll bar, for example, to allow the user tojump to anywhere in the track (back and forward), or to make it finishby moving the scroll bar to the end. These features can be appliedduring voting for battles as well as when a user accesses an artistprofile.

With reference to an example of a battle screen display 1302 shown inFIGS. 13A-13C, in one embodiment a challenger may click on the“challenge” button 1304 next to the artist name in the championshipleague table 1306, for example, to fight against an opponent. A window1308 may be opened for selecting which track to use to fight theselected opponent. Once the user clicks the “OK” button 1310, then thebattle will appear on a current battles panel 1312 and a fight requestnotification 1314 can be communicated to the desired opponent. As shown,information in the current battles section 1312 may include classchampionship ordered chronologically, names of the artists of thebattle, and time (e.g., days or hours) until the battle ends. In oneembodiment, a scroll bar and “vote” button 1314 may be provided next toeach current battle allowing voters to vote for that current battle. Inanother embodiment, a battles panel section 1316 may display a user name1318 linked to a profile associated with the user name 1318. A statusbar 1320 for each battle may indicate whether a battle is pending or inprogress, for example. Also, a “days to go” bar 1322 may indicate thetime remaining until a battle is over. FIG. 14 includes an example ofhow different artists can be sorted and displayed by genre (e.g., rock,pop, R&B, etc.). FIG. 15 includes an example of how different classeswithin the same genre can be selected (e.g., master class, second class,third class, fourth class, etc.), and a league table can be displayedfor the selected class, for example.

Once a challenge has been submitted, the challenged opponent may have apredetermined time period (e.g., a number of hours or days) to answerthe challenge. If the opponent agrees, then the battle starts and thechallenger may receive one point, for example, through a scoring module106G. If the opponent refuses, then the challenger may receive one pointand the slot may be available for a new battle. If the opponent does notprovide an answer to the challenge within the predetermined time period,then the slot may be available for a new battle and the challengerreceives a point. In one embodiment, an opponent who refuses a challengeor does not answer a challenge may be restricted from battling theartist who challenged until the opponent completes a predeterminednumber of battles. In certain embodiments, artists who are challenged byother artists but who refuse the challenge or do not respond to achallenge within a predetermined time may lose points or have anotherpenalty applied.

In various embodiments, the challenger artist and/or the opponent artistcan customize the terms or other features of their battle together. Inone example, the challenger artist or the opponent artist can imposedifferent conditions on the battle, such as the time limit, a votequantity limit, or a number of points to be awarded, and/or otherconditions under which the battle is to be conducted or decided. Inanother example, the artists may together agree to a time limit, a votequantity limit, a number of points to be awarded, and/or otherconditions under which the battle is to be conducted or decided. Inanother example, the opponent artist may be permitted to communicate acounter-proposal to the challenger artist with a preference for limits,features, or other conditions of a battle. Proposals andcounter-proposals for a battle can be communicated back and forthbetween the artists until mutually agreeable parameters for the battlehave been decided between the artists. It can be appreciated that othermodules 106 of the system 102, such as the scoring module 106G, may beprogrammed to process results, scores, or other battle-related data inconnection with customization of the limits, features, or conditionsunder which a battle is conducted between artists.

In various embodiments, one or more voters may be able to customize theparameters of one or more battles conducted between artists. Forexample, the voters may determine time limits, vote quantity limits, anumber of points to be awarded, and/or other conditions under which thebattle is to be conducted or decided between the artists. It can beappreciated that other modules 106 of the system 102, such as thescoring module 106G, may be programmed to process results, scores, orother battle-related data in connection with customization of thelimits, features, or conditions of a battle by a voter. In certainembodiments, voters may be permitted to customize the parameters of abattle or to propose suggestions for battles; in other embodiments,voters may be permitted to more directly create and manage battlesbetween artists (e.g., without the need to submit a request to propose abattle, as described with respect to other embodiments discussedherein).

Once the challenger and the opponent have both agreed to fight, then thebattle can start. A battle can be programmed to receive votes for apredetermined time period, such as a number of hours or days, forexample. The winner of a battle can be declared to be the artistreceiving the most votes once the battle has been concluded. In certainembodiments, points may be awarded for various battles through thescoring module 106G. For example, the challenger may receive one pointfor initiating the battle; the winner of the battle may receive threepoints; and, the loser of the battle may lose three points (unless theloser currently has zero points, in which case the loser may remain atzero points). In another example, if the battle is a draw, then bothartists may receive two points.

Once two artists have agreed to start a battle, there can be ways otherthan manual selection to determine the tracks or elements that willcompete. In one example, selection of the track or element for thebattle can be chosen randomly by the system 102. In another example, amix of random and/or manual selection of tracks/elements in any orderand any quantity can be used. A random process may be purely random ormay adopt a series of criteria in order to automatically select thetrack. The system 102 can track how frequently or how infrequently atrack has been randomly chosen and increase or decrease the probabilitypercentage for selection of the track accordingly. In another example,the process can adopt a series of criteria such as filtering the choicewith artists in similar position in the rankings, filtering the choicewith a specific quantity of points and/or specific ranking positionsregardless of the similarity.

In certain embodiments, battles may be automatically decided by thesystem 102. In this option, scoring, points, and rankings processesstill exist, but the battle module 106E operates automatically and ismanaged by the system 102. For example, the system 102 can executebattles with a predetermined schedule comprising battles matched equallyfor everyone, or a dynamic schedule wherein battles do not start andfinish in the same amount of time or the same vote quantity for everyuser in the class. This process can be purely random or can adopt aseries of criteria such as filtering the choice with artists in similarposition in the rankings, filtering the choice with specific quantity ofpoints, and/or applying specific ranking positions regardless of thesimilarity.

In certain embodiments, a game over rule may be applied wherein if anartist loses a predetermined number of battles consecutively, then theaccount of that artist may be permanently canceled. If a game over ruleis not applied, then the artist may remain at zero points until a battleis won. In other embodiments, the game over rule can be applied toconsecutive lost battles and/or to a predetermined class level. Inanother example, the game over rule can be implemented with anelimination zone in the entry class of each category championship (e.g.,the artist in the last position is eliminated). In another example, anartist can be immediately eliminated upon arriving in the eliminationzone or after a specific amount of time and/or battles (independent ofthe battle results). In certain embodiments, the eliminated artist maybe allowed to re-open an artist account, may be barred from opening anaccount, or may be barred for a specific amount of time. In otherembodiments, the game over rule can be randomly applied to any artistsor group of artists, regardless of class or ranking, for example. Usersmay be permitted to request a vote on the journal to apply a game overrule to a user or group of users. In another example, a game over rulecan be applied wherein if an artist remains at zero points after apredetermined number of battles and/or a predetermined length of time,then the artist's account can be canceled or the artist may be suspendedfrom further participation in the system 102. One or more game overrules may be applied as part of the operation of the scoring module106G, for example, or another module of the system 102.

FIGS. 16A-16G illustrate examples of various aspects of a screen 1602that can be displayed by a bulletin module 106H when a “Bulletin” linkis selected from various parts of the social network system 102. Asshown, the bulletin may provide a news section 1604 includinginformation about competitions, works of art, artists, voters,activities occurring within the system 102, and/or information thatimpacts the system 102. For example, each time a battle starts, thebulletin can automatically generate news regarding the battle and a linkto view the battle or to vote on the battle. In one embodiment, when abattle ends, the bulletin can be used to announce the winner. In anotherembodiment, each time an artist uploads a work of art, the bulletin canprovide news regarding the upload and/or a link to access audio or videocontent related to the uploaded work of art. In another example, when anartist is promoted or demoted between class levels, the bulletin cancommunicate news regarding the promotion or demotion. In variousembodiments, news may be displayed in chronological order and/or by oneor more importance parameters. For example, a class of artist may be animportance parameter applied to news about battles that have beenstarted. In another example, the number of voters voting in a battle maybe an importance parameter for a completed battle. In another example, anumber of artist supporters may be an importance parameter for newsregarding a new track or upload by the artist. In another example, classlevel of an artist may be the important parameter for news regardingclass promotion or demotion.

In various embodiments, one or more filters 1606 may be applied toinformation presented by the bulletin. The filters 1606 may be embodiedas buttons which allow users to filter the news by parameters such asgenre; by “my class” to display news only about a certain class ofartist; or by “supporting” to display news only about the artists thevoter supports. Other sub-filters that can be applied include displayingthe news of a selected kind, such as when the battle started, battleresults, new tracks loaded, and class promotion. In addition, a searchfunction 1608 can be provided for searching news within the bulletin invarious ways.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a screen 1702 that can be displayed bya notifications module 106I when a “Notifications” link is selected fromvarious parts of the social network system 102. Examples ofnotifications which can be communicated in connection with artistsinclude challenge requests; opponent challenge agreement/acceptance;battle results; results of the battles voted; class promotions anddemotions; involvement in a poll, survey or article in the “Journal”;result of a poll or survey voted in the “Journal”; suggestions andadvertising information; among others. Examples of notifications whichcan be communicated in connection with voters include information andactivity of supported artists; voting results of battles; acceptedproposal of article, poll or survey the “Journal”; result of a poll andsurvey voted in the “Journal”; suggestions and advertising information;among others.

FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate examples of various aspects of a screen 1802that can be displayed by a journal module 106J when a “Journal” link isselected from various parts of the social network system 102. Thejournal may be embodied as a web-based newspaper wherein dedicatededitorial staff of experts, journalists and people with a passion forworks of art can publish articles, polls and surveys. Topics for thejournal may be derived from activities occurring on the social networksystem 102, as well as the world of art and all its aspects. Voters canpropose contents to the editorial staff and if the content is acceptable(e.g., an article, poll or survey), it can be published on the journal.Advertising content may also be published in the journal. As shown,accessing a “Read” button 1804 directs the user to journal news, and a“Search” button 1806 directs the user to a search panel where contentsof the journal can be searched. In various embodiments, accessing a“Propose” button 1808 directs the user to a form where the user canwrite a message to the editorial staff, for example, proposing theircontents and ideas. In various embodiments, the experts, journalists andtopics covered in the journal can be modified according to the relevantart form. For example, the journal may discuss the sculpture world andanything involved with a sculpture competition. In certain embodiments,users may lobby management of the system 102 through the journal toorganize a battle between two artists or can ask for other votes, withor without application of particular rules. In one example, a voter orother user can propose a battle between two different artists, with orwithout specifying what works of art the artists should select for thebattle. In another example, a given user may request that a vote betaken on the journal to decide whether different proposed artists shouldengage in a battle. In certain embodiments, user requests can becommunicated directly to other components or modules 106 of the system102, such as through use of a voter profile, for example. In oneexample, a user can submit a request for a modified game over ruledirectly to the system 102, through a component or module 106 of thesystem 102 other than the journal, for example.

In various embodiments, decisions to honor requests by users to adjustrules (e.g., the game over rule), to organize battles between artists,and/or to perform other activities within the system 102 can be madesubject to one or more criteria. For example, the decision to execute arequest can be done randomly. In another example, with regard torequests by voters, artistic intuition scores or rankings can be used toincrease or decrease the probability that a user will have a requestexecuted. With regard to requests by artists, for example, position inthe rankings or class level can be used to increase or decrease theprobability that an artist will have a request executed. The probabilityof executing a request can be based at least in part on using one ormore filters such as artistic intuition score, ranking position, class,and/or others. For example, a voter that is more successful at votingrock battles with higher artistic intuition in the rock category mayhave a higher probability to have a request for organizing a rock battleaccepted than another category in which he has a lower artisticintuition ranking. In another embodiment, one or more users can bechosen at random by the system 102 to submit a request to be executed.In another example, selection of a user by the system 102 may be basedon information collected in response to user profiles, usertransactions, user behavior, or other user information collected withinthe system 102. A certain user action within the system 102, such asvoting in 1000 battles, for example, may trigger selection of the userto submit a request for execution. In certain embodiments, approval ofrequests can be based on time or quantity factors, such as every monthfour user requests for game over rules or battle organization will beexecuted, for example, or perhaps the first four users to make a requestat a predetermined time will have their requests executed. It can beappreciated that the above alternative embodiments involving userrequests may be combined in any reasonable way. Also, user requests maybe reviewed and approved solely by the system 102, solely by personnelof the system 102, or by some combination of human-computer interaction.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a screen 1902 that can be displayed bya bazaar module 106K when a “Bazaar” link is selected from various partsof the social network system 102. The bazaar may represent an onlinestore where registered users can buy art-related products. A survey canbe connected to each product in the bazaar for completion by registeredusers. A “Products” button 1904 can be accessed for directing users to alist of products on a page in the bazaar. A “Search” button 1906 directsusers to a product search panel, and an “Account” button 1908 directsusers to their user account pages. Various “Make It Yours” buttons 1910can direct users to a purchase module 106L of the social network system102 for finalizing purchase and payment for a product, for example.

In various embodiments, an analytical module 106M can be provided whichis operatively associated with one or more of the other components orportions of the social network system 102. The analytical module 106Mmay be programmed to run continuously and can be accessed in real timewith the ability to dynamically alter its parameters at various times.In operation, the analytical module 106M may be programmed to collect,record, analyze, and/or manipulate data to be visualized in any formsuch as, for example, text and graphs. In certain embodiments, the datamay be exported and/or used with an automation module 106N (see below),and/or other modules of the system 102.

Data which the analytical module 106M may be programmed to processincludes, for example, a number of users registered (e.g., currentlyactive registrations and/or historical registrations), with the optionto filter the data according to user typology or registration frequencyon typology and time basis, and/or with the option to predict futuretrends based on previous data. Other data include, for example, numberof user accounts closed (e.g., currently deleted registrations and/orhistorically deleted registrations), with the option to filter the dataaccording to user typology or deletion registration frequency ontypology and time basis, and/or with the option to predict future trendsbased on previous data. Further examples of data that can be processedby the analytical module include, without limitation: enrollment percategory for artists; enrollment per category for voters; frequency ofloading new tracks; frequency of deleting old tracks; quantity of tracksloaded on absolute scale, per user, per category, per class; frequencyof voting current battles per hour, per part of the day, per week day,per month, or any other time-basis (e.g., analyzing how many battles arevoted in a specific time); frequency of use of the available ways tovote the battles (e.g., how much voters use and/or prefer a certain wayto vote); frequency of battles started (e.g., how many battles areconnected to a specific occurrence, track, artist, etc.); quantity ofvoters that have already voted a battle in relation to the total numberof voters and in relation to the time elapsed until the battle closes(e.g., it is useful to know about a current battle that lasts for sevendays that 96% of the voters of that class or category have already votedafter two days, perhaps to adjust a time limit for the battle).

Other examples of data that can be processed by the analytical module106M include, without limitation: quantity of running battles per voterand perhaps for a specific period of time (e.g., if a voter canpotentially vote 5000 different battles per day a limit of artistsavailable to compete in battles simultaneously can be modified to reducethe ratio); quantity of running battles per day (or any time period) pervoter; a ratio between the number of voters and the running battles;ratio (and percentage) between the quantity of running battles and thequantity of battles that have received a vote and/or a predeterminedquantity of votes (e.g., if there are 4000 running battles and only 50%have received one vote, 38% have received fifty votes or less, and only5% have received 3000 votes or more, then the length of the battle canbe adjusted, and the number of battles an artist can fightsimultaneously can be limited or adjusted; e.g., if there are 4000running battles and only 50% have received one vote corresponding to0.5% of the voter population, 38% have received fifty votes or lesscorresponding to 2.5% of voter population, and only 5% have received3000 votes or more, then the length of the battle and/or the number ofbattles an artist can fight simultaneously can be adjusted); quantity oftime which users spend on bulletin, journal, voting, bazaar and/orvisiting profiles; quantity of time which users spend connected to thesystem 102; and/or, how many articles users propose to the journal. Invarious embodiments, data collected or analyzed by the analytical module106M can be processed historically, at a current time, for typology, onany time basis, used to predict future trends, used with any statisticalor mathematical method.

In various embodiments, the analytical module 106M can be programmed tocollect, analyze, or process user information. A profile archive can becreated for one or more registered users where all collected userinformation can be stored and associated with each user. Information canbe collected that users insert into the system 102 on both a requiredand voluntary basis such as, for example and without limitation,e-mails, country, location, style, preferences, and pictures. Also,information obtainable by tracking user behavior in the system 102 canbe collected, such as the quantity of time a user spends on the journalor logged into the system 102, what category a voter likes to vote more,what advertising banners the user selects, and other behaviors. Anyhuman-computer interaction can be tracked and tracking code can beimplemented in various aspects of the invention. Such tracking code canbe customized based on what information to collect and report to thesystem 102. In certain embodiments, the analytical module 106M can beused to identify and store general user preferences, particular grouppreferences, and/or personal user preferences. A user profile, a groupprofile and/or a general profile can be created including all theregistered users or a subset of registered users, for example. Groups ofpeople with similar interests and behaviors can be profiled using theinformation collected and targeted advertising can be selected fordisplay accordingly. Information manipulation can include commondatabase manipulation such as group, order, or select (SQL like).Information representation can be in the form of text or graphicalvisualization like tables and charts, for example.

In various embodiments, the social network system 102 may be operativelyassociated with an automation module 106N programmed to work with theanalytical module 106M, for example, and/or other modules 106 of thesystem 102. The automation module 106N can be linked in real-time withthe other modules 106 and can be programmed with instructions to performunder certain circumstances or triggering events. For example, a portionof the instructions may verify that certain predefined conditions havehappened or not happened through communicating with the analyticalmodule 106M. Such conditions may arise from analyzing data which match aspecific target numbers or a range, for example, or data that fall aboveor below such target numbers or ranges. Other instructions may verify acondition and then execute commands to modifying a quota of promotion,for example, or number of battles playable contemporaneously. Theautomation module 106N can be programmed to continuously check for suchconditions by cooperatively communicating with the analytical module106M and execute commands accordingly.

In various embodiments the social network system 102 may be operativelyassociated with an advertising and sales communication module 106Oprogrammed to work with one or more of the other modules 106 of thesystem 102. With reference to FIGS. 20 through 26, the advertising andsales communication module can be programmed to monitor or analyzeactivity and transactions occurring within the system 102 and deliver orcommunicate advertising content, for example, in accordance with thatmonitoring or analysis.

For example, the advertising module 106O can be programmed to placeadvertising spaces before, between and after the execution of tracks tobe compared, and prior to a voter voting (see FIG. 20). Advertisingspaces can be placed in the same page and in the same execution platformof the tracks (e.g., in the case of videos, the advertising content canbe placed in the same space or platform where tracks are visualized,and/or video ads can be executed before, during, or after execution ofthe tracks). Advertising spaces also can be placed in the same page butin other execution platforms or spaces. The advertising spaces can befixed and/or dynamic in their form, size, appearance and position.Advertising spaces can be displayed for unlimited or limited timeduration, periodically, at predefined times, or at random times.Advertising spaces can be placed in an independent or different page orexecution platform from where the tracks are executed.

In various embodiments, advertising for the track or element comparisonsystem with voting features can be inserted as content including, butnot limited to, videos, images, and interactive banners. The content canbe configured with various physical dimensions and time duration whichcorrespond to the performance of the content in the advertising spaces(e.g., the duration of an advertising video can be set to five secondsto match the duration of a track preview). In certain embodiments, theadvertising content can be configured with various physical dimensions,features and time duration independently of the features of tracksplayed during a competition (e.g., the duration of an advertising videocan be three to four seconds, which does not necessarily correspond to atrack played during a competition which may be of a longer timeduration). It can be appreciated that providing advertising content oflimited, predetermined time duration can represent a more user-friendlyapproach to advertising products and services. Such an advertisingapproach provides a less intrusive and more enjoyable experience forconsumers, maintaining consumer attention while also increasingavailable advertising space. The inventors appreciate that offering morefrequent, but shorter duration video advertising “pills” to consumers isgenerally preferable to less frequent and longer duration content. Theorder and the direction of the advertising and the tracks can beperformed in any way. In one example, the first advertising space can beplaced before the first track, the second between the first and secondtrack, and the last at the end of the second track. The user can beautomatically directed or can choose manually to go ahead or go backafter a track and/or advertising content has been displayed. In certainembodiments, spaces can be inserted or appear in any way and form on theside, for example, or anywhere in the page or on the platform screen,and/or when the user is previewing the tracks. In another example, afterthe user casts a vote, a window 2102 can be displayed in whichadvertising spaces can be included with the possibility to adddescription or additional elements of the advertising (see FIG. 21).

In other examples, advertising content for the track or elementcomparison system with voting features may include interaction betweenthe users and the displayed advertising. For example, an “email me”button 2202A-2202C can be included to forward the advertising content tothe user's email (see FIG. 22); an “open” button 2302A-2302C can open anew page in the Internet browser directing the user to a web pageassociated with the advertising content (see FIG. 23); and/or, a “remindme” button 2402A-2402C can forward a reminder through the notificationsmodule 106I to the user's account, or to an advertising archive whereusers can save the selected advertising or open a reminder in a new page(see FIGS. 24 and 25). Reminders can include links to the advertisingInternet page, text, and/or PDF information. The tasks of communicatingreminders, e-mail forwarding, or new page openings may be automaticallyperformed by the system 102 with or without user interaction. In anotherexample, instead of a window opening, the user can be directed to a pagethat can include various advertising mechanisms (see FIG. 26). Inanother example, after the user has cast a vote, there may be no otheradvertising spaces or mechanisms displayed. In another example, anoption bar can be opened or closed to provide various options regardingthe display of advertising content.

The advertising module 106O may be programmed to display advertisingcontent in other user displays. For example, advertising spaces may beincluded in user profiles; in the bulletin, which can be placed betweenthe news or in any other part of the pages; in the journal, which can beplaced between the articles and/or published contents or in any otherpart of the pages; in notifications, wherein advertising can be sent asa notification window or in any other notification format; championshipdisplays, wherein advertising can be placed between the rankings and/orthe current battles, on the page and/or on the battle panels; and/or inthe bazaar or other online stores. When the user is logged into thesystem 102, advertising spaces or pages can appear before navigating theuser to a next selected page or section, or when no action is taken bythe user. The user may or may not be permitted to stop the display ofadvertising content. In another example, advertising content can bedisplayed in the form of a temporary banner or window. Advertising canalso substitute or overlap elements of the page not otherwise associatedwith advertising elements, either temporarily or not (e.g., the userprofile picture can be substituted with advertising images or thechampionship button may display a banner instead of the button for aperiod of time. When the user selects an advertising element that hasreplaced some other function (e.g., a button), the replaced function canretain its functionality or an advertising functionality can beimplemented (e.g., if the graphical image of the button “Championship”has been substituted with an advertising graphical image, then thebutton itself can still direct a user to the “Championship” page, or thebutton can implement a link or other advertising interaction). Incertain embodiments, any space displayed by the system 102 may includeadvertising content.

Based on the user profiling operation of the analytical module 106M, theadvertising module 106O can be directed to display tailored advertisingto users. For example, advertisers may provide descriptive informationabout their companies and/or advertised products, so that theadvertising module 106O can match user preferences and behaviors withappropriate advertising content. Such tailored advertising givespriority and preference to advertising content that is likely to be moreimportant to the user. In certain embodiments, the tailored advertisingcan be adjusted on personal, group, and/or a general basis. In oneexample, a user logs into the system 102 from Paris but his profilestates that he is from London. The user often votes for house musicbattles, and therefore there is a likelihood that he enjoys venues suchas clubs playing house music. In this example, the advertising module106O can give precedence to club advertising playing house music overother types of advertising content, and may further give precedence toclubs located in Paris since the user has logged into the system 102from Paris and is currently not in London. In certain embodiments,companies can be permitted to sell targeted advertising through thesystem 102. Companies can select a specific audience which they preferto target by their own criteria and/or may have access to groups alreadyprofiled in the system 102. The tailored advertising can be based on theuser point of view while the targeted advertising can be based on theadvertiser's strategy. The targeted approach and the tailored approachmay work in conjunction or separately with any order of precedence. Incertain embodiments, the targeted approach and the tailored approach maybe implemented in association with products offered through the bazaarsection of the system 102, for example.

In various embodiments, a business interface module 106P may be providedand implemented to communicate with businesses or other entities thatwish to pursue commercial activities through the social network system102. The business interface module 106P can be programmed to allow thelisting and selling of products in the bazaar or other online store. Themodule 106P can also facilitate purchasing advertising space through thesystem 102, either through an online tool or by connecting to salesagents, for example. It can be appreciated that information collectedand stored in the system 102 by information gathering, analytics,advertising, or other processing may be used to determine the price ofadvertising space and fees for selling products on the online store. Inaddition, business account information can be collected and stored toanalyze and identify market size and opportunities for the system 102.For example, companies opening business accounts through the system 102may be required to provide information related to the products theyadvertise and the company itself. Such information can be processedthrough the analytical module 106M, for example. In various embodiments,artists may use the business interface module 106P to create a businessaccount for offering representations of works of art (e.g., selling songrecordings) or other merchandise through the bazaar, for example.Artists may also be permitted to have access to the advertising platform106O, for example, to communicate advertising content to various usersof the system 102. In other embodiments, an artist profile may includeoptions or features for offering products related to the artist or worksof art, for example, and/or for communicating advertising contentthrough the system 102.

In certain embodiments, a quality control commission can be implementedto verify that artists and their tracks are genuine and that they meetthe quality criteria of the commissioners. Quality checks can beexecuted on any artist at any time, on new ones and on older ones. Inone example, a battle authorization can be implemented for newregistered artists: the artists can be allowed to open an artistaccount, register in the genre championship, load tracks, and havetracks played on the artist profile. But the new artist may not bepermitted to challenge, be challenged, and participate in battles untilthe battle authorization is issued. The battle authorization can besuspended and reissued for already authorized users under variouscircumstances.

The examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potential andspecific implementations of the present invention. It can be appreciatedthat the examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration ofthe invention for those skilled in the art. No particular aspect oraspects of the examples are necessarily intended to limit the scope ofthe present invention. For example, no particular aspect or aspects ofthe examples of system architectures, user interface layouts, or screendisplays described herein are necessarily intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize, however, that a sufficient understanding of thepresent invention can be gained by the present disclosure, andtherefore, a more detailed description of such elements is not providedherein.

Any element expressed herein as a means for performing a specifiedfunction is intended to encompass any way of performing that functionincluding, for example, a combination of elements that performs thatfunction. Furthermore the invention, as may be defined by suchmeans-plus-function claims, resides in the fact that the functionalitiesprovided by the various recited means are combined and brought togetherin a manner as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, any means thatcan provide such functionalities may be considered equivalents to themeans shown herein.

In various embodiments, modules or software can be used to practicecertain aspects of the invention. For example, software-as-a-service(SaaS) models or application service provider (ASP) models may beemployed as software application delivery models to communicate softwareapplications to clients or other users. Such software applications canbe downloaded through an Internet connection, for example, and operatedeither independently (e.g., downloaded to a laptop or desktop computersystem) or through a third-party service provider (e.g., accessedthrough a third-party web site). In addition, cloud computing techniquesmay be employed in connection with various embodiments of the invention.In certain embodiments, a “module” may include software, firmware,hardware, or any reasonable combination thereof.

Moreover, the processes associated with the present embodiments may beexecuted by programmable equipment, such as computers. Software or othersets of instructions that may be employed to cause programmableequipment to execute the processes may be stored in any storage device,such as a computer system (non-volatile) memory. Furthermore, some ofthe processes may be programmed when the computer system is manufacturedor via a computer-readable memory storage medium.

It can also be appreciated that certain process aspects described hereinmay be performed using instructions stored on a computer-readable memorymedium or media that direct a computer or computer system to performprocess steps. A computer-readable medium may include, for example,memory devices such as diskettes, compact discs of both read-only andread/write varieties, optical disk drives, and hard disk drives. Acomputer-readable medium may also include memory storage that may bephysical, virtual, permanent, temporary, semi-permanent and/orsemi-temporary. Memory and/or storage components may be implementedusing any computer-readable media capable of storing data such asvolatile or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory,erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, andso forth. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include,without limitation, RAM, dynamic RAM (DRAM), Double-Data-Rate DRAM(DDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory(ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., NORor NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory(e.g., ferroelectric polymer memory), phase-change memory, ovonicmemory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon(SONOS) memory, magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of mediasuitable for storing information.

A “computer,” “computer system,” “computing apparatus,” “component,” or“computer processor” may be, for example and without limitation, aprocessor, microcomputer, minicomputer, server, mainframe, laptop,personal data assistant (PDA), wireless e-mail device, smart phone,mobile phone, electronic tablet, cellular phone, pager, processor, faxmachine, scanner, or any other programmable device or computer apparatusconfigured to transmit, process, and/or receive data. Computer systemsand computer-based devices disclosed herein may include memory and/orstorage components for storing certain software applications used inobtaining, processing, and communicating information. It can beappreciated that such memory may be internal or external with respect tooperation of the disclosed embodiments. In various embodiments, a“host,” “engine,” “loader,” “filter,” “platform,” or “component” mayinclude various computers or computer systems, or may include areasonable combination of software, firmware, and/or hardware.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a single component maybe replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may bereplaced by a single component, to perform a given function orfunctions. Except where such substitution would not be operative topractice embodiments of the present invention, such substitution iswithin the scope of the present invention. Any of the servers describedherein, for example, may be replaced by a “server farm” or othergrouping of networked servers (e.g., a group of server blades) that arelocated and configured for cooperative functions. It can be appreciatedthat a server farm may serve to distribute workload between/amongindividual components of the farm and may expedite computing processesby harnessing the collective and cooperative power of multiple servers.Such server farms may employ load-balancing software that accomplishestasks such as, for example, tracking demand for processing power fromdifferent machines, prioritizing and scheduling tasks based on networkdemand, and/or providing backup contingency in the event of componentfailure or reduction in operability.

In general, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatvarious embodiments described herein, or components or parts thereof,may be implemented in many different embodiments of software, firmware,and/or hardware, or modules thereof. The software code or specializedcontrol hardware used to implement some of the present embodiments isnot limiting of the present invention. For example, the embodimentsdescribed hereinabove may be implemented in computer software using anysuitable computer programming language such as .NET, SQL, MySQL, or HTMLusing, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques.Programming languages for computer software and othercomputer-implemented instructions may be translated into machinelanguage by a compiler or an assembler before execution and/or may betranslated directly at run time by an interpreter. Examples of assemblylanguages include ARM, MIPS, and x86; examples of high level languagesinclude Ada, BASIC, C, C++, C#, COBOL, Fortran, Java, Lisp, Pascal,Object Pascal; and examples of scripting languages include Bournescript, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, and Perl. Various embodiments maybe employed in a Lotus Notes environment, for example. Such software maybe stored on any type of suitable computer-readable medium or media suchas, for example, a magnetic or optical storage medium. Thus, theoperation and behavior of the embodiments are described without specificreference to the actual software code or specialized hardwarecomponents. The absence of such specific references is feasible becauseit is clearly understood that artisans of ordinary skill would be ableto design software and control hardware to implement the embodiments ofthe present invention based on the description herein with only areasonable effort and without undue experimentation.

Various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein mayemploy one or more electronic computer networks to promote communicationamong different components, transfer data, or to share resources andinformation. Such computer networks can be classified according to thehardware and software technology that is used to interconnect thedevices in the network, such as optical fiber, Ethernet, wireless LAN,HomePNA, power line communication or G.hn. The computer networks mayalso be embodied as one or more of the following types of networks:local area network (LAN); metropolitan area network (MAN); wide areanetwork (WAN); virtual private network (VPN); storage area network(SAN); or global area network (GAN), among other network varieties.

For example, a WAN computer network may cover a broad area by linkingcommunications across metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries.The network may use routers and/or public communication links. One typeof data communication network may cover a relatively broad geographicarea (e.g., city-to-city or country-to-country) which uses transmissionfacilities provided by common carriers, such as telephone serviceproviders. In another example, a GAN computer network may support mobilecommunications across multiple wireless LANs or satellite networks. Inanother example, a VPN computer network may include links between nodescarried by open connections or virtual circuits in another network(e.g., the Internet) instead of by physical wires. The link-layerprotocols of the VPN can be tunneled through the other network. One VPNapplication can promote secure communications through the Internet. TheVPN can also be used to separately and securely conduct the traffic ofdifferent user communities over an underlying network. The VPN mayprovide users with the virtual experience of accessing the networkthrough an IP address location other than the actual IP address whichconnects the access device to the network.

The computer network may be characterized based on functionalrelationships among the elements or components of the network, such asactive networking, client-server, or peer-to-peer functionalarchitecture. The computer network may be classified according tonetwork topology, such as bus network, star network, ring network, meshnetwork, star-bus network, or hierarchical topology network, forexample. The computer network may also be classified based on the methodemployed for data communication, such as digital and analog networks.

Embodiments of the methods and systems described herein may employinternetworking for connecting two or more distinct electronic computernetworks or network segments through a common routing technology. Thetype of internetwork employed may depend on administration and/orparticipation in the internetwork. Non-limiting examples ofinternetworks include intranet, extranet, and Internet. Intranets andextranets may or may not have connections to the Internet. If connectedto the Internet, the intranet or extranet may be protected withappropriate authentication technology or other security measures. Asapplied herein, an intranet can be a group of networks which employInternet Protocol, web browsers and/or file transfer applications, undercommon control by an administrative entity. Such an administrativeentity could restrict access to the intranet to only authorized users,for example, or another internal network of an organization orcommercial entity. As applied herein, an extranet may include a networkor internetwork generally limited to a primary organization or entity,but which also has limited connections to the networks of one or moreother trusted organizations or entities (e.g., customers of an entitymay be given access an intranet of the entity thereby creating anextranet).

Computer networks may include hardware elements to interconnect networknodes, such as network interface cards (NICs) or Ethernet cards,repeaters, bridges, hubs, switches, routers, and other like components.Such elements may be physically wired for communication and/or dataconnections may be provided with microwave links (e.g., IEEE 802.12) orfiber optics, for example. A network card, network adapter or NIC can bedesigned to allow computers to communicate over the computer network byproviding physical access to a network and an addressing system throughthe use of MAC addresses, for example. A repeater can be embodied as anelectronic device that receives and retransmits a communicated signal ata boosted power level to allow the signal to cover a telecommunicationdistance with reduced degradation. A network bridge can be configured toconnect multiple network segments at the data link layer of a computernetwork while learning which addresses can be reached through whichspecific ports of the network. In the network, the bridge may associatea port with an address and then send traffic for that address only tothat port. In various embodiments, local bridges may be employed todirectly connect local area networks (LANs); remote bridges can be usedto create a wide area network (WAN) link between LANs; and/or, wirelessbridges can be used to connect LANs and/or to connect remote stations toLANs.

In various embodiments, a hub may be employed which contains multipleports. For example, when a data packet arrives at one port of a hub, thepacket can be copied unmodified to all ports of the hub fortransmission. A network switch or other devices that forward and filterOSI layer 2 datagrams between ports based on MAC addresses in datapackets can also be used. A switch can possess multiple ports, such thatmost of the network is connected directly to the switch, or anotherswitch that is in turn connected to a switch. The term “switch” can alsoinclude routers and bridges, as well as other devices that distributedata traffic by application content (e.g., a Web URL identifier).Switches may operate at one or more OSI model layers, includingphysical, data link, network, or transport (i.e., end-to-end). A devicethat operates simultaneously at more than one of these layers can beconsidered a multilayer switch. In certain embodiments, routers or otherlike networking devices may be used to forward data packets betweennetworks using headers and forwarding tables to determine an optimumpath through which to transmit the packets.

As employed herein, an application server may be a server that hosts anAPI to expose business logic and business processes for use by otherapplications. Examples of application servers include J2EE or Java EE 5application servers including Web Sphere Application Server. Otherexamples include Web Sphere Application Server Community Edition (IBM),Sybase Enterprise Application Server (Sybase Inc), WebLogic Server(BEA), JBoss (Red Hat), JRun (Adobe Systems), Apache Geronimo (ApacheSoftware Foundation), Oracle OC4J (Oracle Corporation), Sun Java SystemApplication Server (Sun Microsystems), and SAP Netweaver AS (ABAP/Java).Also, application servers may be provided in accordance with the .NETframework, including the Windows Communication Foundation, .NETRemoting, ADO.NET, and ASP.NET among several other components. Forexample, a Java Server Page (JSP) is a servlet that executes in a webcontainer which is functionally equivalent to CGI scripts. JSPs can beused to create HTML pages by embedding references to the server logicwithin the page. The application servers may mainly serve web-basedapplications, while other servers can perform as session initiationprotocol servers, for instance, or work with telephony networks.Specifications for enterprise application integration andservice-oriented architecture can be designed to connect many differentcomputer network elements. Such specifications include BusinessApplication Programming Interface, Web Services Interoperability, andJava EE Connector Architecture.

Embodiments of the methods and systems described herein may dividefunctions between separate CPUs, creating a multiprocessingconfiguration. For example, multiprocessor and multi-core (multiple CPUson a single integrated circuit) computer systems with co-processingcapabilities may be employed. Also, multitasking may be employed as acomputer processing technique to handle simultaneous execution ofmultiple computer programs.

In various embodiments, the computer systems, data storage media, ormodules described herein may be configured and/or programmed to includeone or more of the above-described electronic, computer-based elementsand components, or computer architecture. In addition, these elementsand components may be particularly configured to execute the variousrules, algorithms, programs, processes, and method steps describedherein.

Various embodiments may be described herein in the general context ofcomputer executable instructions, such as software, program modules,and/or engines being executed by a computer. Generally, software,program modules, and/or engines include any software element arranged toperform particular operations or implement particular abstract datatypes. Software, program modules, and/or engines can include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures and the like that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Animplementation of the software, program modules, and/or enginescomponents and techniques may be stored on and/or transmitted acrosssome form of computer-readable media. In this regard, computer-readablemedia can be any available medium or media useable to store informationand accessible by a computing device. Some embodiments also may bepracticed in distributed computing environments where operations areperformed by one or more remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, software, program modules, and/or engines may be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Although some embodiments may be illustrated and described as comprisingfunctional components, software, engines, and/or modules performingvarious operations, it can be appreciated that such components ormodules may be implemented by one or more hardware components, softwarecomponents, and/or a combination thereof. The functional components,software, engines, and/or modules may be implemented, for example, bylogic (e.g., instructions, data, and/or code) to be executed by a logicdevice (e.g., processor). Such logic may be stored internally orexternally to a logic device on one or more types of computer-readablestorage media. In other embodiments, the functional components such assoftware, engines, and/or modules may be implemented by hardwareelements that may include processors, microprocessors, circuits, circuitelements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and soforth), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits(ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors(DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), logic gates, registers,semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, and so forth.

Examples of software, engines, and/or modules may include softwarecomponents, programs, applications, computer programs, applicationprograms, system programs, machine programs, operating system software,middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines,functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces, application programinterfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code, computer code, codesegments, computer code segments, words, values, symbols, or anycombination thereof. Determining whether an embodiment is implementedusing hardware elements and/or software elements may vary in accordancewith any number of factors, such as desired computational rate, powerlevels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input data rates,output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and other design orperformance constraints.

In some cases, various embodiments may be implemented as an article ofmanufacture. The article of manufacture may include a computer readablestorage medium arranged to store logic, instructions and/or data forperforming various operations of one or more embodiments. In variousembodiments, for example, the article of manufacture may comprise amagnetic disk, optical disk, flash memory or firmware containingcomputer program instructions suitable for execution by a generalpurpose processor or application specific processor. The embodiments,however, are not limited in this context.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the embodiments describedherein illustrate example implementations, and that the functionalelements, logical blocks, modules, and circuits elements may beimplemented in various other ways which are consistent with thedescribed embodiments. Furthermore, the operations performed by suchfunctional elements, logical blocks, modules, and circuits elements maybe combined and/or separated for a given implementation and may beperformed by a greater number or fewer number of components or modules.As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading thepresent disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described andillustrated herein has discrete components and features which may bereadily separated from or combined with the features of any of the otherseveral aspects without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of eventsrecited or in any other order which is logically possible.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment. The appearances ofthe phrase “in one embodiment” or “in one aspect” in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it may be appreciated that termssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or thelike, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computingsystem, or similar electronic computing device, such as a generalpurpose processor, a DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described hereinthat manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physicalquantities (e.g., electronic) within registers and/or memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thememories, registers or other such information storage, transmission ordisplay devices.

Certain embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. These terms are notnecessarily intended as synonyms for each other. For example, someembodiments may be described using the terms “connected” and/or“coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physicalor electrical contact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, alsomay mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. Withrespect to software elements, for example, the term “coupled” may referto interfaces, message interfaces, application program interface (API),exchanging messages, and so forth.

It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able todevise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described orshown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure and arecomprised within the scope thereof. Furthermore, all examples andconditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid thereader in understanding the principles described in the presentdisclosure and the concepts contributed to furthering the art, and areto be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recitedexamples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein recitingprinciples, aspects, and embodiments as well as specific examplesthereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functionalequivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalentscomprise both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed inthe future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure. The scope of the present disclosure, therefore,is not intended to be limited to the exemplary aspects and aspects shownand described herein.

The terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents used in thecontext of the present disclosure (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended toserve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separatevalue falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as when it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as,” “in the case,” “by wayof example”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate thedisclosed embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scopeotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of theclaimed subject matter. It is further noted that the claims may bedrafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement isintended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusiveterminology as solely, only and the like in connection with therecitation of claim elements, or use of a negative limitation.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein arenot to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred toand claimed individually or in any combination with other members of thegroup or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or moremembers of a group may be comprised in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein,it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterationsand adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in theart with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the presentinvention. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended to includeall such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present invention as described andclaimed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A social network system for conductingcompetitions between artists involving works of art respectivelyassociated with each artist, the system comprising: an electronicprocessor programmed for executing a function associated with at leastone module; an artist profile module programmed for: receiving, by theprocessor, a representation of at least one work of art into at leastone track of a track panel of an artist profile, and receiving, by theprocessor, a selection of at least one of the tracks for a competition,displaying, by the processor, at least one graphical user interfaceassociated with the artist profile module, displaying, by the processor,at least one graphical user interface element associated with receivingthe work of art representation into the track of the track panel, anddisplaying, by the processor, at least one graphical user interfaceelement associated with receiving the selection of the track for thecompetition; and a battle module programmed for: communicating, by theprocessor, a challenge from a first artist profile to a second artistprofile; receiving, by the processor, an answer from the second artistprofile to the challenge by the first artist profile, when the challengeis accepted, initiating, by the processor, a competition between a firstwork of art representation, stored in a selected track of a track panelof the first artist profile, and a second work of art representation,stored in a selected track of a track panel of the second artistprofile, selecting, by the processor, the first artist profile and thesecond artist profile associated with the initiated competition to beoperated in a championship designation framework, and receiving, by theprocessor, at least one indication of preference from at least one voterregarding the first work of art representation and the second work ofart representation, displaying, by the processor, at least one graphicaluser interface associated with the battle module, displaying, by theprocessor, at least one graphical user interface element associated withthe challenge from the first artist profile to the second artistprofile, displaying, by the processor, at least one graphical userinterface element associated with receiving the answer from the secondartist profile to the challenge by the first artist profile, displaying,by the processor, when the challenge is accepted, at least one graphicaluser interface element associated with the competition between the firstwork of art representation and the second work of art representation,and displaying, by the processor, at least one graphical user interfaceelement associated with receiving the indication of preference from theat least one voter regarding the first work of art representation andthe second work of art representation.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising the artist profile module programmed to limit access toartists producing original works of art.
 3. The system of claim 1,further comprising the artist profile module programmed for receivinginformation regarding a genre associated with the work of artrepresentation.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising determininga winner of the competition between the first work of art representationand the second work of art representation in response to an indicationof preference received from one or more voters.
 5. The system of claim1, further comprising a scoring module programmed for calculating ascore for at least one of the first artist profile or the second artistprofile in response to at least one of an outcome of the competition,user actions and/or interactions, or condition fulfillment.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, further comprising a ranking module programmed fordetermining a ranking or a class for at least one artist profile inresponse to the calculated score.
 7. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a module programmed for calculating a score in response to acorrespondence between at least one vote by a voter and an outcome of atleast one battle on which the voter has voted.
 8. The system of claim 1,further comprising the battle module programmed for displaying a panelincluding one or more competitions currently running in the socialnetwork system.
 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising the battlemodule programmed for receiving at least one vote from a voter throughthe panel of currently running competitions.
 10. The system of claim 1,further comprising the battle module programmed for displaying at leastone competition to a user at random from among all competitionscurrently running in the social network system.
 11. The system of claim1, further comprising the battle module programmed for displaying atleast one competition in response to an input associated with a genre ofa work of art.
 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising the battlemodule programmed for displaying at least one competition in response toan input associated with a selected class of artist.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising the battle module programmed for receiving avote from a voter through a championship section.
 14. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a bulletin module programmed for displayingnews associated with one or more competitions, works of art, artists,voters, or activities occurring within the social network system. 15.The system of claim 14, further comprising the bulletin module asprogrammed for displaying news by one or more importance parameters. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein the importance parameter includes atleast one of a class of artist, a number of voters voting in a battle,or a number of artist supporters.
 17. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a journal module programmed for displaying informationderived from at least one expert associated with at least one work ofart.
 18. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bazaar moduleprogrammed for displaying an online store of products and services. 19.The system of claim 1, further comprising an analytical moduleprogrammed to collect, record, or analyze data associated with one ormore transactions occurring within the social network system.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the collected data isassociated with user information.
 21. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising an automation module programmed for receiving at least onecommunication from an analytical module and for executing at least onecommand in response to at least one data condition or triggering event.22. The system of claim 1, further comprising an advertising and salescommunication module programmed for monitoring at least one transactionoccurring within the social network system and for communicatingadvertising content in accordance with the monitoring of the at leastone transaction.
 23. The system of claim 22, further comprising theadvertising and sales communication module programmed for communicatinga tailored advertising content in response to at least a portion of userinformation collected in the social network system.
 24. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a module programmed for executing at leastone game over rule in response to at least a portion of data storedwithin the social network system.
 25. A method for conductingcompetitions between artists involving works of art respectivelyassociated with each artist, the method comprising: receiving, by anelectronic processor, a representation of at least one work of art intoat least one track of a track panel of a first artist profile;receiving, by the electronic processor, a representation of at least onework of art into at least one track of a track panel of a second artistprofile; receiving, by the processor, a selection of at least one trackof the track panel of the first artist profile and/or the second artistprofile for a competition; displaying, by the processor, at least onegraphical user interface associated with at least one of the artistprofiles; displaying, by the processor, at least one graphical userinterface element associated with receiving at least one work of artrepresentation into at least one of the track panels; displaying, by theprocessor, at least one graphical user interface element associated withreceiving the selection of the track for the competition; communicating,by the processor, a challenge from a first artist profile to a secondartist profile; displaying, by the processor, at least one graphicaluser interface element associated with the challenge from the firstartist profile to the second artist profile; receiving, by theprocessor, an answer from the second artist profile to the challenge bythe first artist profile; displaying, by the processor, at least onegraphical user interface element associated with receiving the answerfrom the second artist profile to the challenge by the first artistprofile; when the challenge is accepted, initiating, by the processor, acompetition between a first work of art representation, stored in aselected track of a track panel of the first artist profile, and asecond work of art representation, stored in a selected track of a trackpanel of the second artist profile; selecting, by the processor, thefirst artist profile and the second artist profile associated with theinitiated competition to be operated in a championship designationframework; displaying, by the processor, when the challenge is accepted,at least one graphical user interface element associated with thecompetition between the first work of art representation and the secondwork of art representation; receiving, by the processor, at least oneindication of preference from at least one voter regarding the firstwork of art representation and the second work of art representation;and displaying, by the processor, at least one graphical user interfaceelement associated with receiving the indication of preference from theat least one voter regarding the first work of art representation andthe second work of art representation.
 26. The method of claim 25,further comprising determining a winner of the competition between thefirst work of art representation and the second work of artrepresentation in response to an indication of preference received fromone or more voters.
 27. The method of claim 25, further comprisingcalculating a score for at least one of the first artist profile or thesecond artist profile in response to at least one of an outcome of thecompetition, user actions and/or interactions, or condition fulfillment.28. The method of claim 27, further comprising determining a ranking ora class for at least one artist profile in response to the calculatedscore.
 29. The method of claim 25, further comprising calculating ascore in response to a correspondence between at least one vote by avoter and an outcome of at least one battle on which the voter hasvoted.
 30. The method of claim 25, further comprising executing at leastone game over rule in response to at least a portion of data storedwithin the social network system.